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David J. Phillip Associated Press Ace Sanders walks the sideline against Houston last season. The NFL has yet to announce his suspension, which would make him ineligible to play until Oct. 5 at Pittsburgh.

Jaguars receiver Ace Sanders said Tuesday night “personal issues” will keep him away from the team when training camp opens Thursday and that he also faces a four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s substance abuse program.

“I’ve decided to go seek help, get [the] attention that I need — hopefully somebody can help me out,” Sanders said. “I should be OK; I just want to get better and come back and be ready to play.

“Sometimes life hits, and it’s hard.”

Asked if that help would include in-patient treatment and/or counseling, he said: “Counseling, just from anybody that can help me on some personal issues I have [and] give me some type of ground that I can at least start from and just try to figure out everything that is going on.”

Sanders, 22, said he would “probably not” participate in any portion of camp and the preseason games.

The NFL has yet to announce Sanders’ suspension, which would make him ineligible to play until Oct. 5 against Pittsburgh. He would have been allowed to practice in camp and play in preseason games if he was with the team. Once the regular season starts, he can attend meetings and work out at the team facility.

“It’s been really tough,” Sanders said. “I’ve been dealing with a lot of stuff with life and with family and with a lot of issues going on.

“I’m taking full responsibilities for my actions and everything I did. I really want to let the fan base know and let my family know and my teammates know … that I am truly sorry for what has happened.”

Sanders said he didn’t know if he would remain in Jacksonville during his absence and anticipated suspension.

Sanders said general manager Dave Caldwell and coach Gus Bradley were “really supportive,” of his situation.

“They’ve been with me every step of the way,” Sanders said. “It showed me how much they care. That made me feel 100 percent better about what was going on.”

Sanders was placed on the non-football injury/illness list, and he later asked the Jaguars’ media relations department to organize a conference call with reporters to discuss his situation.

When the suspension is completed, Sanders’ status will be in the hands of the Jaguars, who must determine if he’s fit to play.

“I think I’ll come back and be ready to play,” he said. “This time I’m taking to get everything in order will be really helpful.”

Sanders is the third Jaguars player to be suspended since last October. Receiver Justin Blackmon remains under an indefinite suspension, and linebacker LaRoy Reynolds sat out four games in last season’s second half but remains with the team.

When the suspension becomes official, Sanders will become the 13th player in the league to be suspended for parts or all of the 2014 season.

From a football standpoint, Sanders’ absence will open the No. 1 punt return job for Tandon Doss, who was signed from Baltimore in March. It also creates opportunities for players such as veterans Mike Brown and Kerry Taylor and rookie Allen Hurns.

On Tuesday, the Jaguars placed cornerback Alan Ball (ankle) and linebacker Dekoda Watson (groin) on the physically unable to perform list and cornerback Aaron Colvin (knee) on the non-football injury list. Ball and Watson can return to practice as soon as they are physically cleared. Colvin is expected to sit out camp and at least the first half of the season.